From NEET waiver to release of Central funds, the State’s wish list remains just that

The AIADMK government under Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has always insisted that it is maintaining “cordial” ties with the BJP government at the Centre only in the interest of the State. However, several pleas by the State government for financial aid and new projects have yet to elicit a positive response from the Centre.

In the last one year, on several occasions, more than two State Ministers were in the national capital on the same day to call on various Union Ministers. Despite their numerous visits, funds for various government schemes were either not granted or were sanctioned only partially. On the other hand, the State government has been implementing various schemes that the Centre is very keen on.

Exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET and finalisation of a location for the All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are some of the other major pleas pending before the Centre.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit too, while assuming office in October last year, said he would use his “influence in Delhi” to ensure that the State got more funds and more developmental work was taken up.

However, it was evident from the speech of Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam in the pre-budget meeting in Delhi that the State was still awaiting funds for jointly implemented schemes.

‘An ongoing process’

When The Hindu asked why the ‘cordial’ ties with the Centre hasn’t helped the State much, Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar defended the State government, contending that it had been taking up issues with the Centre every now and then, and had indeed been sanctioned projects and funds.

“Seeking projects and funds from the Centre is an ongoing process. We have been smart enough to get what is good for the State,” he maintained.